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The secret vote to select Speaker's successor
19 May 2009Michael Martin's successor will be selected through a secret ballot for the first time.
The new rules were introduced in 2001 after the election which brought Mr Martin to the chair turned into a shambolic seven-hour marathon.
Candidates will need the backing of between 12 and 15 other MPs, - at least three of them from other parties.
Each will try to win support with a speech to the Commons, before MPs fill in their ballot papers and cast their votes.
If any candidate gets more than half the votes, they will be elected Speaker. If no-one does, then the hopeful with the fewest votes and any with less than 5% of the total will be eliminated and the remainder voted on afresh until someone eventually enjoys an overall majority.
The last two Speakers, Betty Boothroyd and Mr Martin, have both been from Labour - ending a tradition, admittedly only a decades- not centuries-old one, of alternation between the main parties.
The Tories would be keen to have one of their own fill the chair this time - although the Speaker is formally outside party politics and represents no party in the constituency.
But if the election is held before the next General Election, which opinion polls firmly suggest the Tories will win, Labour will retain a Commons majority and could secure a third consecutive incumbent.
On winning an absolute majority in the Commons, the Speaker-elect is expected to show reluctance at being chosen and is customarily "dragged" by colleagues to the Chair - a nod to the dire fate that has befallen some speakers down the centuries.
The Speaker-elect must then receive the Sovereign's approval, or the approbation, before he or she may take office.
Once in office, the Speaker must be politically impartial and will resign from their political party.
The Speaker remains separate from political issues, even in retirement, but will deal with their constituents' problems like a normal MP.
Speakers also tend to be unopposed in their constituency during a General Election, with the major parties not fielding a candidate and the Speaker not campaigning on any political issues, but simply standing as "the Speaker seeking re-election".
Reader views (3)
SECRET VOTE to elect sucessor ? Just when will these people learn that they are answerable to the public, who now beleive that if anything they do is in secret then it must be crooked.
Lets see just who is is voting for which candidate, thats io there is any respect for the public as their employers, in this house of shame !
- Jez, London, 19/05/2009 16:05
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All Mr Brown has said that he would punnish those in his party who "exceeded" the rules, this is not enough, its the "moral" issues we are all concerned about.
- Brian Hughes, Llandudno. North Wales. U.K., 19/05/2009 15:08
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I just pray to God that Jackboot Straw - that very glib conman - is not appointed as Speaker.
Jackboot Straw needs investigating over his alleged expenses claims.
The entire House needs investigating.
JOE PUBLIC HAS NEVER BEEN SO ANNOYED AS THEY ARE TODAY.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 19/05/2009 14:41
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